FORT KNOX, Ky. –  7th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participated in their first Situational Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 17, 2018. These Cadets took their first step toward Cadet led field exercises. They spend the first few days in the field learning the basics and this exercise functioned as their first practice exam. To prepare, Cadets eat and live exclusively in the humid wilderness of Kentucky. They receive tips and clear orders from Cadre while quickly cycling through a range of roles and positions allowing each Cadet to learn the basics in the early stages. This specific exercise was [...]

FORT KNOX – 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets faced off against other Cadets today as part of their Field Training Exercise at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 16. The Cadets mission was to protect their patrol base. For an added challenge, Cadets would have to hold their perimeter for hours while it rained over them. The Cadets had multiple methods of limiting how wet they would be getting. Some Cadets wore their rain gear, while some decided to manipulate the rain gear to make tents or simply used them as blankets. Before dawn broke on the wet morning, a small figure, perhaps [...]

FORT KNOX Ky. – 6th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets spent their morning at the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) training area at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 15, 2018. The training’s highlight is the Confidence Chamber, a room full of CS gas where Cadets personally experience the importance of their gear. However, it isn’t the only part of their CBRN training. Cadet Summer Training has brought two, out of only 60, M1135’s and a handful of chemical detection tools to show the Cadets. The training can sparking interest in the chemical division, it is also important Cadets know about these tools in case they [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  5th Regiment, Basic Camp Cadets enjoyed a beautiful day at Morgan Reiley range at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 12, 2018. The beautiful day provided a more comfortable day on the range than previous Cadets had experienced. The Cadets arrived at the shooting range with a clear mission, qualify. Qualifying means the Cadets have received a go and proven themselves to be a skilled marksperson. Having a chance to work with rifles and experience the process of qualifying gives Cadets a chance to work on a skill they will be required to pass during Advanced Camp. Before qualifying [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  Cadet participating in Field Training Exercises are expected to live, breath and eat in the outdoors. Their lives revolve around preparing for their missions, but when a mission consists of only minutes of heart-racing, blood boiling action the Cadets spend the majority of their time at temporary camps, ‘enjoying’ downtime. 5th Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets were 15 days into their FTX. Their first day of the Cadet led FTX experience. Prior to July 11 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, they had their ‘hands held’ as they learned the ropes and received specific orders from Cadre, freshly commissioned lieutenants [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp,  Cadets graduated from their training at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 10, 2018. Friends and family gathered around the steamy parade field at Fort Knox, sitting on shiny-hot  bleachers as they prepared to have their Cadets graduate. Before the ceremony began Maj. Gen. John R. Evans, Jr. gave a short speech congratulating the Cadets on successfully committing to and conquering the trials of Advance Camp. Then he gave thanks to the families for raising children that were inspired to serve. The Cadets went through several rounds of attention and parade rest. Showing off their hard earned [...]

  FORT KNOX, Ky.—Cadre promised Cadets an unusual day of training early morning July 5. Cadets would be spending the day dressing up and applying an unusually intoxicating fragrance – CS gas. These Cadets started their day learning about the gear and attitude required to conquer the CS gas chamber. The Cadets are taught about JSLIST (Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology), vehicles and testing equipment. The Gear Cadets put the gear on top of their uniforms, but the overgarment can be worn as a primary uniform also. The lightweight suit has two primary pieces – the pants and a front open zip/button [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, Cadets continued their field training exercise at Fort Knox, Kentucky July 6, 2018. The Cadets participated in an ambush field exercise.  The goal of the platoon was to prevent the enemy from resupplying, while obtaining any information possible. Cadet Joshua Tribble, South Carolina State University, says the tactical skills are important, but what the Cadre are really looking for are your inner qualities during these exercises. “Our best qualities and our worst qualities are going to come out,” he said. “People that can deal with the pressure and people that can’t deal with [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Families and friends packed into Waybur Theater on family day to learn about what the Cadets have been doing during Advanced Camp, at Fort Knox July 4, 2018. Parents left the theater and waited in the sweltering parking lot near the parade field to wait for the Cadets to be bussed in. Once the Cadets arrived they rushed from the buses to the parade field, some quickly grabbing hugs or waving at their families. After getting into formation they began getting briefed on the rules of family day. Once released Cadets sprinted either toward family members or [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Guests, military Officers and Soldiers gathered to recognize and celebrate the promotion of Maj. Gen. John R. Evans. The Commanding General of Cadet Command and Fort Knox was greeted by a packed, warmly lit room at the Saber and Quill July 3, 2018. Evans commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Appalachian State University in 1988. He was assigned as an Attack Platoon Leader in an Aviation Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a new lieutenant. The host, Lt. Gen. Theodore D. Martin Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, greeted those attending. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets waiting to group and zero during their training are taught to minimize stress because shaky movements and jitters that impact the motion of a bullet in delicate ways. The tension from holding your breath for too long is enough to miss a target. 3rdRegiment Cadet Adrianne Del Castillo was a part of a large group of Basic Camp Cadets, a group of Cadets previously unfamiliar with the intricacies of firing a rifle. Del Castillo a student from Tarleton State University had only ever used a handgun and only handled her rifle at camp, never firing it. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. –  1st Regiment, Advanced Camp Cadets participate in the second leg of their field training exercise, bringing them closer to beds and graduation, at Fort Knox, Ky. June 26 Cadets braced for battle. After a long night of securing camp and camouflaging themselves, they were ready for the opposition forces to attack at any time. The sky appeared to break open, a bright flash and boom filled the sky. The Cadet’s exercise was put on hold. Inclement weather, heavy showers, lightning and thunder carried on for 40 minutes. When the rain stopped the Cadets felt the familiar muggy [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky.- Three hundred 4th Regiment Cadets gathered to listen to their welcome brief by Brig. Gen John Evans, the new Commanding General for Cadet Command and Fort Knox, June 21. The Basic Camp Cadets started their evening filing into Olive Theater, a large beige auditorium. Once Evans arrived the Cadets stood at attention and then shouted their regiment motto ‘All or nothing’ before returning to a rested position in their seats. Both Alpha and Bravo companies have separate mottos, but this regimental motto was chosen minutes before Evan’s arrival. “This is a test for you,” he started. “This is an opportunity [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Basic Camp Cadets, Second Regiment, gathered at the Dunagan Team Development Course to participate in leadership and team building exercises, June 20. The course consists of 6 yellow and black obstacles designed to challenge the groups critical thinking skills while allowing Cadets to experience the importance of following through with a designated role, leader or follower. These obstacles are meant to simulate realistic events and assignments the future lieutenants and soldiers could experience in the field. Simulations include traversing destroyed bridges, scaling walls surrounded by dangerous grounds and climbing across a gorge with a casualty. Alexandrea Guatreaux, [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Second Regiment Basic Camp Cadets climbed to the challenge during their High Ropes Course in Fort Knox June 19, empowering Cadets with the courage and confidence it takes to perform in the field. High Ropes consists of a collection of three height related tasks challenging Cadets to trust in their equipment and teammates. Whether Cadets are relying on emotional support from their safety, or trusting their belay to ensure they do not fall from the top of the 50-foot climbing tower, the High Ropes Course is testing courage and confidence on all fronts. During these challenges teammates, or battle buddies, [...]

Fort Knox, Ky – Second Regiment Cadets mastered the hip rappel seat and the 64 ft. rappel tower. Before starting the rappel course cadets had to learn how to properly prepare themselves. Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Evans, University of Arizona, provided instructions on how to properly create the Swiss Seat. Understanding the Language Brake Hand- The most dominant hand, usually the writing hand. Guide Hand – The weaker hand. Carabiner-  Coupling link with a safety closure, used by rock climbers Tie the Seat. Place gloves on the guide hand shoulder and the snap link is hooked on the brake hand side pocket. [...]

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Timothy Burnham, First Regiment, Advance Camp, approaches his casualty which was shaded in the wood line. Warm from the morning heat, he begins his graded exercise. Dropping to his belly ‘firing’ his weapon to clear the area for his wounded battle buddy, a large plastic dummy weighing in at around 105 lbs., plastered in artificial wounds of red tape. He calls out, “Are you alright? Can you provide self-aid and can you get to cover?” Burnham, from The Ohio University, begins providing the lifesaving first aid he perfected earlier, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TC3) under the [...]

Fort Knox, Ky- Cadets participating in the Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program (CU&LP) returned to Fort Knox, Ky from Brazil, June 6. Cadets spent three weeks learning about Brazil’s culture, history and military. A Cadet from Eastern Illinois University, Amber Matchett, highlighted the start of her experience abroad in South America. “We started out in Rio de Janeiro,” Matchett said. “We spent a lot of time going to museums and there were a few forts that they used to use during battles that they turned into museums.” While focusing on learning from and about Brazil and the Brazilian Military, CU&LP Cadets participated in fun and [...]